Unbeaten in two road games at Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas, Orlando City SC start their final nine 2020 regular season games with a home fixture against New York Red Bulls.
Currently eight games undefeated, Oscar Pareja has changed the culture in Central Florida with his Lions team currently fourth in the Eastern Conference.
In many ways, the last two games have demonstrated just how far this Orlando City SC side has come.
With SKC and FC Dallas being difficult away days in any season, let alone in 2020’s congested schedule, City only conceded one goal.
Despite travel fatigue and tired legs, City performed well and take lots of positives, especially since they held on for 20+ minutes with 10 men at FC Dallas.
After Jhegson Méndez saw red in the 69th minute, the team dug incredibly deep, so much so that it didn’t really feel like 11 versus 10 thereafter.
The biggest compliment to Oscar Pareja‘s City side is that they continue to play the role of protagonist, no matter the opponent.
Whether it’s home or away, we now see Orlando City SC pressing opponents out of the gate with no fear.
After five full seasons in the MLS doldrums, 2020 has been so refreshing for Orlando City SC supporters to see their side play with courage and bravery.
These qualities will be needed yet again with New York Red Bulls in town.
Fresh off two 4-1 thumpings over Inter Miami and Montreal Impact, New York Red Bulls have responded well to new interim head coach Bradley Carnell.
The South African has gone 3-0-2 in five games so far and it appears New York Red Bulls players aren’t missing Chris Armas after his September 4 firing.
Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls – 2015/19 head-to-head stats
Orlando City SC last faced New York Red Bulls way over a year ago now in July 2019.
On a summer night at Exploria Stadium, it was the away side who earned all three points, avenging Orlando City SC‘s 0-1 win at Red Bull Arena four months earlier.
With James O’Connor‘s Lions unbeaten in three games prior to this encounter, a single Brian White goal was enough to win it.
Considering City bossed possession 62% to 38% and out-shot Red Bulls 18 to 13, this loss was particularly tough to take.
Unfortunately for the Lions, they couldn’t find their shooting boots with Luis Robles facing only four shots on target.
Orlando City SC 0 New York Red Bulls 1 – Highlights – July 21, 2019 (Credit: New York Red Bulls)
One of Orlando City SC‘s most familiar opponents since entering MLS, this Eastern Conference series now stands at 11 games.
When these two meet, there’s usually one winner too.
Witnessing only ONE draw in over 990 minutes of Major League Soccer head-to-head action, New York Red Bulls hold a two-win advantage over City as it stands.
Despite New York Red Bulls leading this game series, there’s barely been anything to choose between either side in recent years.
Remarkably, FOUR of the last SIX league head-to-heads have finished either 1-0 to the home side or 0-1 to the away side.
Red Bull Arena was the setting for Orlando City SC‘s first victory of 2019 where Sacha Kljestan returned to haunt Chris Armas’ side in a 0-1 smash and grab.
Slotting home a neat cross from João Moutinho in the 72nd minute, Orlando City SC scored at a crucial time and defended valiantly to take all three points back home to Central Florida.
New York Red Bulls 0 Orlando City SC 1 – Highlights – March 23, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
Orlando City SC‘s 2020 season has been a refreshing deviation from the norm.
But a particular criticism remains. The Lions’ inability to keep enough clean sheets.
Indeed, the recent 0-0 draw at FC Dallas was only Orlando City SC‘s THIRD clean sheet of the entire 2020 campaign.
Despite Pedro Gallese being a game changer for City in goal, the 0-0 was the Peruvian’s first clean sheet since our Round-of-16 win over Montreal Impact at the #MLSisBack Tournament in July.
New York Red Bulls form
Make no mistake, Daniel Royer is still New York Red Bulls’ go-to guy and the club’s talisman.
A veteran of 105 MLS appearances and 39 goals for the Harrison-based side, the Austrian has proved he’s still got it recently.
Standing up after Chris Armas’ exit, the 30-year-old winger has THREE goals in his last FOUR Major League Soccer appearances.
Scoring one goal in recent games against D.C. United (0-2), Inter Miami (1-4) and Montreal Impact (4-1), New York Red Bulls won all of these games in which Royer scored.
In this streak, the only time he failed to score was Red Bulls’ surprise 0-1 defeat to FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena on September 19.
New York Red Bulls 4 Montreal Impact 1 – Highlights – September 27, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
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Don’t forget, Orlando City SC vs New York Red Bulls will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football this Saturday evening at 21:25 (GMT).
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @OrlandoCitySC 🆚 @NewYorkRedBulls is LIVE on @SkySports Football this Saturday! 📺⚽️😁
At a nice early 🇬🇧 time of 9:25pm too! 👍🏽
VIEW TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#OCTwitter #OrlandoCity #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/sSJf4LxGzN
— Orlando City UK 🎗 (@Orlando_CityUK) September 28, 2020